Where is everybody? — If there is intelligent life out there, why hasn’t it contacted us?

Credit: Bill Watterson, “The Complete Calvin and Hobbes”

There are many Earth-like planets. Most Earth-like of all (so far), Kepler 452b, was discovered just a few days ago¹. It is thought that there are 1 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy, 100,000 of them with intelligent civilizations.

With so many intelligent civilizations, why haven't we heard from any of them? Some possibilities:
● there are many technically advanced civilizations out there, but they all subscribe to a Star Trek-like "prime directive" which prevents them from making contact with civilizations which haven't mastered space travel
● technologically advance civilizations obliterate themselves early in their history — as we seemed poised to do during the cold war — climate change — pollution
● we are the first — maybe there are many intelligent civilizations, but none more technically advanced than us
● intelligent life is uncommon
● technological, intelligent life is uncommon
● life itself is uncommon

More discussion at:

http://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/fermi-paradox.html

http://listverse.com/2014/09/30/10-reasons-that-we-still-havent-found-aliens/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3112426/Where-aliens-Video-explores-paradox-haven-t-contact-civilisation-yet.html
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¹ "Discovery of ‘Habitable’ Earth-Like Planet Announced", http://observer.com/2015/07/breaking-discovery-of-habitable-earth-like-planet-announced/ / starry place good starry night scale of the universe physicist Enrico Fermi where is everybody starry sky vast very local neighborhood 2,500 stars our galaxy less than 1,000 light years away 1% of the diameter of the Milky Way stars galaxies humans intelligent life out there stars galaxy 100 – 400 billion galaxies observable universe star colossal Milky Way galaxy every grain of sand on every beach on Earth 10,000 stars stars are sun-like similar in size temperature luminosity number of total stars 500 quintillion 500 billion billion sun-like stars orbited by Earth-like planet similar temperature conditions liquid water potentially support life similar to that on Earth recent PNAS study Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences potentially-habitable Earth-like total stars in the universe 100 billion billion Earth-like planets beach after billions of years in existence Earth-like planets develop life life advances intelligent level Earth 10 quadrillion 10 million billion intelligent civilizations observable universe our galaxy lowest estimate stars in the Milky Way100 billion estimate 1 billion Earth-like planets 100,000 intelligent civilizations in our galaxy SETI Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence listening for signals other intelligent life 100,000 or more intelligent civilizations our galaxy sending out radio waves laser beams attempting to contact others SETI’s satellite array signals our sun relatively young lifespan of the universe far older stars far older Earth-like planets civilizations far more advanced 4.54 billion-year-old Earth hypothetical 8 billion-year-old Planet X civilization technology knowledge civilization 1,000 years ahead of us civilization 1 million years ahead of us human culture chimpanzees Kardashev Scale intelligent civilizations amount of energy they use Type I Civilization Carl Sagan formula Type 0.7 Civilization Type II Civilization harness energy host star Type I brains Dyson Sphere Type III Civilization accessing power mastered inter-stellar travel colonizing galaxy hypothesis galactic colonization creating machinery travel to other planets self-replicating raw materials new planet replicas speed of light colonize colonize speculate intelligent life survives galaxy-colonizing Fermi Paradox Fermi Paradox scientists humans possible explanations Fermi Paradox higher civilizations no higher civilizations in existence non-exclusivity problem higher civilizations contact with us exception to the rule become aware of their existence Group 1 explanations no super-advanced civilizations mathematics math our own galaxy The Great Filter The Great Filter theory pre-life to Type III intelligence long evolutionary process The Great Filter timeline where The Great Filter We’re rare, we’re first, or we’re fucked We’re Rare The Great Filter is Behind Us hope we have we managed to surpass it extremely rare life our level of intelligence no Type III Civilizations few exceptions Earth is the center of the universe we’re special scientists observation selection effect pondering their own rarity is inherently part of an intelligent life success story rare or quite common being special which step it might be incredibly unusual for life to begin at all tried replicate The Great Filter intelligent life there may be no other life at all jump from the simple prokaryote cell complex eukaryote cell prokaryotes evolutionary jump being complex having a nucleus The Great Filter universe is teeming with simple prokaryote cells almost nothing beyond that other possibilities most recent leap we’ve made our current intelligence semi-intelligent life chimps intelligent life humans miraculous step inevitable climb upward evolution evolution does not strive for a goal Earth technological intelligence natural selection rare evolution tree of life because it has occurred as many as fossilized eukaryote Mars Rare Earth Hypothesis, Universe Big Bang intelligent life develop gamma-ray bursts astrobiological phase transition future search extraterrestrial intelligence /

Just when you think you have politics figured out ...

Mike Baird, Premier of New South Wales, Australia
Credit: The Daily Telegraph

Mike Baird, Premier of New South Wales, Australia, was stopped by a policeman for performing an illegal U-turn, but let off with a warning. Subsequently, he contacted police, confessed, & was fined $311 & three demerit points.

Almost like an honest politician …

http://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-daily-telegraph-sydney/20150723/281479275107931/TextView / Baird performed illegal U-turn pulling on seatbelt South Curl Curl stopped young a Highway Patrol officer let off with a warning Baird phoned called senior Manly officer dobbed himself in police assesed in-car video fined Premier $311three demerit points Premier Mike Baird let off young Highway ­Patrol officer performing illegal U-turn not wearing a seatbelt contacted police later dobbed himself asked to be fined $311 fine lost three ­demerit points illegal manoeuvre South Curl Curl June 8 reporting himself senior police officer I was pulled over for a traffic offence June long weekend Mr Baird said officer issued me with a warning contacted police issue fine ensure absolutely no suggestion of special treatment warning driving while not wearing a seatbelt offence cost $311 fine six demerit points offence occurred June long weekend double demerit period paid the fine unbroken double centre center line /

Hackers remotely disable a Jeep on the highway — update

Credit: Wired
__________

Update — Fiat Chrysler recalls 1.4 million cars after Jeep hack

Affected vehicles
2013-2015 MY Dodge Viper specialty vehicles
2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500 & 3500 pickups
2013-2015 Ram 3500, 4500, 5500 Chassis Cabs
2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee & Cherokee SUVs
2014-2015 Dodge Durango SUVs
2015 MY Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300 & Dodge Charger sedans
2015 Dodge Challenger sports coupes

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33650491

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/jeep-hack-chrysler-recalls-1-4m-vehicles-bug-fix/?mbid=nl_72415
__________

We’ve been here before: developer in too much of a hurry to add features, ignores security, leaves system open to hacking.

Difference this time:
● developers (car manufacturers) have the previous sorry examples, which should have served as a warning
● human lives are directly on the line



Good news:
● demonstrated in a limited range of vehicles
● other manufacturers remain an unknown quantity
● manufacturers have been informed
● legislation is in train, in USA, to force manufacturers to tighten up security in Web-enabled vehicles
● hackers do not plan to release enough of their exploit to allow others to duplicate it without months of research

Bad news:
● other manufacturers remain an unknown quantity
● for the purposes of demonstration, hackers cause a vehicle to suffer a sudden, dangerous, loss of power on the highway^1,2 — this in, apparently, relatively responsible hands of people expecting to be scrutinised in various forums
● what will others do with it?

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-remotely-kill-jeep-highway/?mbid=nl_72115
___________________

¹ "Death prompts VW owners to speak out", http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/death-prompts-vw-owners-to-speak-out-20130530-2nexi

² “Faults that trashed a reputation”, http://www.drive.com.au/it-pro/faults-that-trashed-a-reputation-20130607-2nvlc / driving 70 mph downtown St. Louis exploit I hadn’t touched the dashboard vents Jeep Cherokee started blasting cold air maximum setting in-seat climate control system radio switched local hip hop station full volume spun the control knob left hit the power button to no avail windshield wipers turned on wiper fluid blurred sprayed glass two hackers performing stunts car’s digital display Charlie Miller Chris Valasek Jeep’s strange behavior St. Louis Miller and Valasek’s digital crash-test dummy test car-hacking research result of their work hacking technique security industry zero-day exploit target Jeep Cherokees attacker wireless control via the Internet thousands of vehicles code automaker’s nightmare software hackers send commands Jeep’s entertainment system dashboard functions steering brakes transmission laptop across the country simulate experience driving a vehicle while it’s being hijacked invisible virtual force Miller Valasek attacks planned launch Miller’s laptop life-threatening drive the Jeep onto the highway iPhone’s speaker Interstate 64 on-ramp don’t panic hacking into Jeep Cherokee SUV highway ten miles away two hackers remotely air-conditioning radio windshield cut the transmission accelerator stopped working Jeep lost half its speed slowed to a crawl long overpass no shoulder escape experiment interstate slope upward barely crept forward cars lined up behind passing me honking 18-wheeler semi trailer approaching rearview mirror driver saw me paralyzed on the highway semi loomed in the mirror immobilized Jeep beg the hackers to make it stop wireless carjackers behind the wheel of a compromised car summer 2013 Ford Escape Toyota Prius South Bend Indiana, parking lot backseat laptops disabled my brakes honked the horn jerked the seat belt commandeered the steering wheel limitation wired into vehicles’ onboard diagnostic port repair technicians access to information car’s electronically controlled systems carjacking has gone wireless Miller Valasek publish exploit Internet talk they’re giving Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas next month series revelations two hackers spooked automotive industry helped inspire legislation WIRED learned senators Ed Markey Richard Blumenthal introduce automotive security bill set new digital security standards for cars trucks auto-hacking antidote bill timely attack tools developed remotely trigger dashboard transmission tricks used on the highway demonstrated traumatic experience on I-64 narrowly averting death by semi-trailer lame Jeep down an exit ramp re-engaged transmission turning ignition off and on arsenal functions lower speeds kill the engine engage the brakes disable cut the Jeep’s brakes 2-ton SUV slid uncontrollably into a ditch researchers perfecting steering control hijack the wheel Jeep is in reverse hack enables surveillance track a targeted Jeep’s GPS coordinates measure its speed drop pins on a map to trace its route Chrysler almost all carmakers turn the modern automobile into a smartphone Uconnect Internet-connected computer feature hundreds of thousands of Fiat Chrysler cars SUVs trucks controls vehicle’s entertainment navigation enables phone calls Wi-Fi hot spot one vulnerable element won’t identify Black Hat talk Uconnect’s cellular connection also car’s IP address gain access super nice vulnerability entry point attack adjacent chip in car’s head unit hardware entertainment system rewriting chip’s firmware plant their code rewritten firmware capable of sending commands car’s internal computer network CAN bus physical components engine wheels attack on entertainment system work any Chrysler vehicle Uconnect tested full set of physical hacks targeting transmission braking systems Jeep Cherokee attacks tweaked work any Chrysler vehicle vulnerable Uconnect head unit remotely hacking into other makes models cars researchers details of their work Las Vegas tool enabling wave of attacks Jeeps around the world part of the attack rewrites chip’s firmware hackers reverse-engineer took months code publish enable dashboard hijinks demonstrated GPS tracking sharing research Chrysler release patch Black Hat conference owners vehicles Uconnect feature notified patch post on Chrysler’s website acknowledge Miller and Valasek’s research Interstate 40 Route 40 Interstate 64 /

Reversible micro USB cable — update

MicFlip micro USB to USB A cable — both ends reversible
Credit: Winnergear/IndieGoGo

Update — producers of MicFlip reversible USB cables have advised IndieGoGo supporters that they have been unable to source reversible USB A connectors which perform reliably over the thousands of plug/unplug operations they are likely to be exposed to in normal use. Based on the photographs I have seen, reversible USB A plugs must be subject to strong flexing each time they are plugged in. An email to supporters reads in part:

"We have some bad news about the Type-A plug. At the moment we are still trying to figure out how to make it work as it seems that no matter how we plug it after a while the connectivity is lost ..."

MicFlip cables will be supplied with reversible micro USB & conventional USB A plugs.

Problems making reliable reversible USB plugs may be related to the failure-to-appear of the rumoured reversible USB A to Lightning cable from Apple.

Producers of MicFlip have also undertaken to supply cables with reversible USB A & micro USB plugs when a reliable USB A connector becomes available. Price will be in the $3 to $5 range for existing supporters.

Any USB A plug can be converted to reversible with one of these adapters:

Straight
http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Universal-Reversible-UR024-000/dp/B00EYCF40Q

Right angle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAYTHEG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1/184-6744116-2105069?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=1EZ1CH86Z8RETSE6R53R&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687602&pf_rd_i=B00EYCF40Q

More about MicFlip, plus some alternatives at:

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/reversible-micro-usb-cable.html / reversible Micro-USB cable that is long overdue for Android handset users braided nylon gold plated connectors aluminium housing plug durable tangle free Kickstarter IndieGoGo crowd funded funding product delivery backers product quality durability pilot production run Micro-Flip cables passed reliability durability tests withstand withstanding 10,000 plugging cycles demand production mass quantities funding goal deliver product backers quality control manufacturer quality USB cables industrial quality control process USB cables USB 2 USB 3.0 3.1 charge sync synch /

Want to live in a house built from shipping containers? (video)

Credit: dezeen.com

Shipping containers — utilitarian, strong, revolutionized transport, & reduced costs. But would you want to live in one? Or several of them joined together? Hard as it may be to believe, the home pictured above is built from 4 containers.

It's the Grillagh Water House, designed by architect & farmer, Patrick Bradley & built on his own land.

Grand Designs episode about its construction


More about the container house:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2768293/I-m-desperate-gorgeous-girl-I-just-want-happy-explains-Channel-4-Grand-Designs-team-turn-cover-project.html

http://www.dezeen.com/2015/01/11/grillagh-water-house-patrick-bradley-maghera-northern-ireland-farm-shipping-containers-grand-designs/

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/house-home/shipping-container-house-featured-on-grand-designs-wins-top-architecture-award-31164381.html

More houses built from shipping containers

http://www.homedit.com/22-most-beautiful-houses-made-from-shipping-containers/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kristinchirico/surprisingly-gorgeous-homes-made-from-shipping-containers#.fagnmlQegE

http://www.trueactivist.com/a-shipping-container-costs-about-2000-what-these-15-people-did-with-that-is-beyond-epic/

So, wanna live in a container house? / 4 stacked shipping containers Grillagh Water House by Patrick Bradley architect designed design balcony shaded steel fins projects upper storey of this house Northern Ireland architect farmer farmhouse farm house Patrick Bradley built four used shipping containers Patrick Bradley developed Grillagh Water House picturesque site on his own farm near town of Maghera local legislation allows farmers build dwellings on their land designed house employed conventional construction methods architect needed reduce the cost meet budget alternative solution change the idea aesthetics design alternative more affordable idea shipping containers assembled around a steel framework metal boxes extend entrance end of a gravel lane sit on top other pair of containers lee of a gentle slope upper level cantilevers over the lower storey balcony surrounded by steel fins protect interior unwanted solar gain terrace glass balustrade garden below minimal metal staircase house made out of containers sculpture landscape blend in with its surroundings containers upper level clad in grey powder-coated expanded metal sheets covered in panels pre-rusted Corten steel rural part of Northern Ireland materials common in the area grey colour similar many of the agricultural buildings Corten steel cladding blend in with the landscape rock already on the site /

USB C flash drives

While we’re waiting for USB C, with reversible connector, fast USB 3.1 speed, high power & video, to revolutionise computing, the USB A connector will continue to be important.

Some manufacturers are producing flash drives with both USB A & USB C connectors

SanDisk


32GB only
Credit: SanDisk/Gizmodo

http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/3/8719629/sandisk-usb-c-dual-flash-drive-computex-2015

http://gizmodo.com/sandisk-has-the-first-flash-drive-with-a-reversible-usb-1688533182

http://www.macrumors.com/review/sandisk-dual-usb-type-c-flash-drive/

Kingston


16GB, 32GB & 64GB
Credit: Kingston/BetaNews

http://betanews.com/2015/06/08/kingston-digital-announces-new-usb-type-c-flash-drive/

Patriot


32GB & 64GB
Credit: Patriot/Apple Insider

http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/04/28/patriot-unveils-usb-c-flash-drive-for-apples-macbook

Emtec


16 & 32 GB
Credit: Emtec/ComputerWorld

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2901435/emtec-type-c-flash-drives-to-begin-shipping.html


Alternatively, a USB A to USB C adapter may work better for you


16 & 32 GB
Credit: Brando/The Gadgeteer

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/brando-has-usb-type-c-adapters-for-all.html / USB Type-C adapter brand new hard to find normal the norm standard new cable type invented Apple latest MacBook new USB standard offer significant advantages current Type-A connector smaller reversible faster data speeds more power USB Type-C change cables adapters USB Type-C hubs card readers adapters convert other cables micro USB Lightning USB Type-C Brando USB A USB C connector /

F.I.A.T. 28.5 liter “Beast Of Turin” driven for first time in 100 years (video)

F.I.A.T. S76 — that's the way the company name was written in 1911 — period marks can just be made out in the sign on the wall behind the S76
Credit: Goodwood

● 28.5 litres & 4 cylinders — over 7 litres per cylinder
● that's over 14 litres of fire & smoke out the exhaust at every engine revolution
● chain drive — one chain each side — transferring 300 hp to the rear wheels
● if either chain lets go, be ready to duck — but there's probably not much point
● heads just visible above the bonnet — this is a very tall car
● add leaf springs & narrow tyres for an exciting ride at over 100 mph
● no front brakes — customary in 1911
● "legburner" exhaust — missing from the restored vehicle in the videos below

In 1911 this was the fastest car in the world. Pietro Bordino drove it to an official land speed record of 116 mph over the flying mile, at Saltburn Sands, England. Later that year, an attempt was made on the the flying kilometre record, at Oostenede, Belguim. It was timed at over 135 mph, but could not complete the return journey in the hour to claim the record, due to external circumstances.

The Beast of Turin trailer from stefan marjoram on Vimeo.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1099157_fiat-28-liter-beast-of-turin-driven-for-first-time-in-100-years

https://grrc.goodwood.com/race/historic/legendary-fiat-s76-run-first-time-100-years#SesMZUDemkFJU8wP.97

Assembling the engine

Credit: stefanmarjoram.com/The Old Motor

More images of engine assembly:
http://theoldmotor.com/?p=122246 / F.I.A.T. Fiat fastest car in the world FIAT S76 restoration owner Duncan Pittaway painstakingly rebuilding car hillclimb Goodwood Festival of Speed terrific noise pedestrians three yards of flame stub exhausts bonnet S76 produced Italian manufacturer records flying kilometre flying mile Blitzen Benz S76 mile record Pietro Bordino Saltburn Sands 1911 officially recorded over 135mph kilometre Ostenede in Belguim unable to complete return run specified one hour one car dismantled Fiat First World War racing cars rival manufacturers technical secrets purchased by Russian aristocrat Boris Soukhanov modernised Australia campaigned Fiat Racing Special Duncan drive S76 Goodwood brought rolling chassis remains UK original 28.5 litre four cylinder engine dismantled car machine restored original specification Roach Manufacturing Southampton bodywork restoring Bugatti T35 S76 original S76 components survived restored chassis engine suspension axles pedals steering box gearbox radiator bodywork original Fiat drawings last largest huge-engined Edwardian monsters /